UN: Expect 11.2 billion population by the end of the century

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Move over: The world's population is expected to reach 8.5 billion by 2030 and 9.7 billion in 2050, a new U.N. report says. And there should be 11.2 billion people on Earth by the end of this century.

Meanwhile, India's population is set to pass China's in size around 2022, according to the report released Wednesday.

Population estimates play a huge role as the international community tries to figure out how to slow the danger of global warming, while pursuing the ambitious goals of eliminating both poverty and hunger.

The current world population is 7.3 billion.

Nine countries are expected to make up half of the world's population growth between now and 2050: India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, the U.S., Indonesia and Ghana.